US20050109131A1 - Hard drive test fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a method and apparatus for testing electrical or optical devices. The invention includes a test fixture having a base component, a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component, a top component coupled to the first and second rails, and an interposer coupled to the first and second rails.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• None.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to a fixture or carrier for securing and testing an electrical or optical device. In a specific example, the present invention relates to a fixture for securing and testing a hard drive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Computer hard drives are generally subjected to a “burn-in” testing procedure. Further, the drives are also usually subjected to thermal testing or environmental conditioning testing during the design and prototyping phases of the manufacturing process. A drive is typically held in a fixture or a carrier while it undergoes the burn-in or final verification testing procedures. Further, the fixture or carrier holding the drive may be placed in an environmentally-controlled test chamber for the testing procedures. These chambers are designed to expose the device under test to controlled temperature and humidity levels so that the drive manufacturer can obtain accurate performance test results over expected environmental ranges in which the devices are designed to operate. The tests can provide a valuable tool to verify product quality and reliability and to assure that the hard drives meet industry standards.
• One problem with conventional fixtures or carriers is that they are prone to transferring mechanical vibrations to the drive under test. These vibrations add “noise” to the test results.
• Another problem with existing carriers is that the carriers are typically configured to operate in a horizontal position or a vertical position, but not both. That is, some existing carriers function to correctly position a drive while the carrier and drive are in a horizontal position, and other existing carriers function to correctly position a drive while the carrier and drive are in a vertical position, but most are not configured to successfully position a drive while the carrier and drive are in either a horizontal or a vertical position.
• A further problem with existing carriers is the ejection mechanism, which operates to eject the device under test from the carrier after testing has concluded. Such components are typically highly complex mechanisms with several parts that are expensive, bulky, and difficult to assemble.
• Thus, there is a need in the art for a hard drive fixture that reduces vibration. In addition, there is a need for a fixture that allows for operation in either a vertical or a horizontal position. There is a further need in the art for a simple, inexpensive ejection mechanism that fits into a small space.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention, in one embodiment, is a test fixture. The test fixture has a base component, a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component, a top component coupled to the first and second rails, and an interposer coupled to the first and second rails.
• The present invention, in another embodiment, is a method of testing a device. The method includes inserting the device into a fixture, performing at least one test on the device, and removing the device from the test fixture. The fixture has a base component, a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component, a top component coupled to the first and second rails, and an interposer coupled to the first and second rails.
• While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a test fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of a test fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of a test fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a base component and rails of a test fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3B is an opposing perspective view of a base component and rails of a test fixture, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a side view of a roller, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a side view of a hard disk drive to be tested in a test fixture.
• FIG. 6 is a graph setting forth test results related to Example 1.
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a hard disk drive to be tested in a test fixture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention relates to a test fixture with unique vibration damping characteristics. That is, the test fixtures disclosed herein can attain vibration damping that has never before been achieved by existing test fixtures.
• In fact, the test fixture of the present invention, according to certain embodiments, can achieve vibration transmission identical to the transmission achieved by the “Golden Fixture,” which is well known in the art as the standard for resistance to transmittal of outside vibrations in the hard drive industry. All fixture resistances to transmittal of outside vibrations are measured relative to the Golden Fixture. The Golden Fixture is a testing environment that isolates a hard drive from all outside mechanical influences and typically consists of a large base of at least 20 pounds of a very dense material such as granite. The base has four standoffs or bolts mounted on the top surface. In use, the drive to be tested is physically mounted onto the base by threading the bolts into the drivebase mounting holes78, as shown inFIG. 7.
• It is well known that the vibration resistance achieved by the “Golden Fixture” is significantly better than the resistance achieved by any fixture in the existing technology. Yet, the fixture of the present invention as described herein provides such an improvement over existing test fixtures that it can match the damping characteristics of the Golden Fixture.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of atest fixture10, according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 depicts a side view of atest fixture10, according to one embodiment of the invention. Further,FIG. 3 shows a top view of atest fixture10, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Thefixture10 is configured to support a hard drive during testing and is further configured to interface thereto. Alternatively, thefixture10 is configured to support other known electrical or optical devices for testing. According to one aspect of the present invention, thefixture10 is configured for use within an environmental test chamber. Alternatively, thetest fixture10 is configured for use with any known stand, rack, storage cabinet or at any other known location for use of a test fixture.
• As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and3, thefixture10, according to one embodiment, includes abase60 that supports at least tworails18. Thebase60 has tworail receiving plates100. Therails18 are positioned so that a testing area is defined between therails18. Eachrail18, includes aslot77 for positioning and supporting aninterposer22 and recesses20 for rollers, includingpositioning rollers30. The position of therails18 on therail receiving plates100 creates asidewall24 and amounting surface26. Atop plate61 is positioned above therails18 onspacers80 and is connected to thespacers80 andrails18 by a plurality ofscrews65. Thetop plate61 includestabs73, aslot72, androllers62 disposed onshafts63 connected to thetop plate61 byrivets64.
• Further, thefixture10 has anejection mechanism37 that, when actuated, is configured to disconnect the tested device from theinterposer22 and facilitate removal of the device. Theejection mechanism37 has ahandle38 connected to tworods39,41, each having backportions40,43 that includerubber bumpers42 and return springs78. In addition, thefixture10 has astop device65 for appropriately positioning of a device under test. Thedevice65, has ahandle66 connected to arod67 in agroove69 inrail receiving plate100 under theleft rail18 and is connected to astop portion79 partially disposed within theslot72 in thetop plate61. As will be explained herein, the handle can be positioned ingroove75 inleft rail18.
• Theinterposer22 is a component that provides a two-way connection between a connector on the device under test and the testing equipment that control the test protocols during testing, which may include such equipment as a test driver, data collection equipment, circuitry, and a power source. According to one embodiment, theinterposer22 is atest card22. Alternatively, theinterposer22 is positioned at arear portion16 of thefixture10 by any known means.
• A device to be tested can be inserted through the opening at thefront portion14 of thefixture10 and into the testing area between theleft rail18 and theright rail18 and between the base60 and thetop plate61. According to one embodiment where the device is a hard disk drive, thefixture10 is configured to allow for both rear connection (the drive is positioned during insertion such that it can interface with theinterposer22 near therear portion16 of thefixture10 for testing purposes) and front connection (the drive is positioned during insertion such that the test connections must occur at thefront portion14 of the fixture10). Alternatively, thefixture10 can be configured to allow for only rear connection or for only front connection. In a further alternative, thefixture10 of the present invention is used to test other devices. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, thefixture10 of the present invention containing a device to be tested is functional in either a horizontal or a vertical position.
• In accordance with one embodiment, thebase60 is mounted to apan12. Thepan12 is also referred to as a pallet or shelf, and is generally a flat surface to which thebase60 can be mounted. As best seen inFIG. 2, thebase60 is mounted to thepan12 by a plurality ofbolts76, thereby providing significant stiffening to thepan12. Alternatively, thebase60 is connected to thepan12 by any known fastening means.
• As depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3B, thebase60, according to one aspect of the present invention, is configured to allow for uniform airflow around the device mounted in thefixture10. The uniform airflow provided by thebase60 assures uniform temperature and humidity during testing of a device mounted in thefixture10 in an environmental chamber. Thebase60, in accordance with one embodiment, has twomain braces84 and twosecondary braces85 connected at each end to rail receivingplates100. Alternatively, thebase60 has three or moremain braces84 and one or moresecondary braces85.
• Themain braces84 are rigid and are configured to mount firmly to thepallet12. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, eachmain brace84 has an arch87 on its underside that permits airflow between thepallet12 and thebase60 along the length of thebase60 underneath the device mounted in thefixture10, even when thebraces85 are firmly attached to thepallet12. Alternatively, each of themain braces84 has any kind of aperture(s) to provide airflow underneath thefixture10 while maintaining the necessary rigidity. Further, themain braces84 according to one embodiment connect to therail receiving plates100 such that there is a space between the top of therail receiving plates100 and the top88 of themain braces84. This space allows for airflow under the device mounted in thefixture10.
• The secondary braces85 provide significant additional rigidity to the base60 compared with the primary braces alone. Further, thesecondary braces85 also allow for airflow. The secondary braces85 according to one embodiment of the invention have a smaller width and height than themain braces84 and thus extend a smaller distance from therail receiving plates100. As a result of the smaller width, airflow occurs between thepallet12 and thebase60 along the length of thebase60. Further, thesecondary braces85 connect to therail receiving plates100 such that there is a space between the top of therail receiving plates100 and the top88 of the secondary braces85. That space provides a path of free airflow between the bottom of the drive under test and thetop surfaces88 of thebraces84,85. In addition, thesecondary braces85 according to one embodiment have aerodynamically-shaped ends that are conducive to increased airflow. Alternatively, thebase60 is configured in any structural configuration known to allow for uniform airflow.
• The base60 according to one aspect of the invention is an injection-molded composite that is electrically dissipative, lubricated, and vibration-damping. For example, the base60 according to one embodiment is made of a composite of RTP387TFE10, which is sold by RTP Company in Winona, Minn. Alternatively, thebase60 is made of any known electrically dissipative, lubricated, and vibration-damping material.
• Therails18, according to one embodiment of the present invention, are depicted inFIGS. 3A and 3B. According to one embodiment, eachrail18 is made of an electrically dissipative, lubricated, and vibration-damping composite. In one embodiment, therails18 connect to therail receiving plates100 such that, when the two are connected, they define asidewall24 and a mountingsurface26 which support and guide a hard disk drive as it is inserted within thefixture10, as best shown inFIG. 1. Thesidewall24 and mountingsurface26, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, are both angled at the opening at thefront portion14 of thefixture10 to allow easier insertion of a drive into the opening.
• According to one embodiment, therails18 are attached to therail receiving plates100 of the base60 by a plurality ofalignment sockets81 in therail receiving plates100 andcorresponding pins82 on therails18, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. Thesockets81 and pins82 facilitate assembly of thebase60 and rails18 and further assist in controlling alignment of therails18. During fabrication, thelower roller axles89 on therails18 are inserted intolower bearing pads83 in therail receiving plates100. According to one embodiment, therails18 are further secured to therail receiving plates100 by screws inserted throughholes86 in therail receiving plates100 and into holes (not shown) in therails18. Alternatively, therails18 are attached to thebase60 by any known attachment means.
• Eachrail18, according to one embodiment of the present invention, haspositioning rollers30 andpressure rollers32 mounted inrecesses20 molded into eachrail18. Therollers30,32 cooperate with therails18 to guide and position a device to be tested. According to one embodiment, thepositioning rollers30 function to align the device to be tested such that connection points on the device are aligned with the appropriate corresponding connection points on theinterposer22. Further, thepressure rollers32 provide pressure to urge the device against thepositioning rollers30. The rigid positioning of the device, along with the limited float allowed theinterposer22 in its locater slits77, assures accurate and repeatable connection between the device and the testing electronics.
• According to one embodiment, eachroller30,32 has upper andlower bearing pads83.
• In one aspect of the invention, eachrail18 is configured identically so that each one is interchangeable with any other. That is, according to one embodiment, eachrail18 is configured to hold twopositioning rollers30 on one side of therail18 and twopressure rollers32 on the opposite side of therail18. Accordingly, as depicted inFIG. 1, when the drive to be tested is inserted into thefixture10, it is contacted by the twopositioning rollers30 in theleft rail18 and by the one of the two pressure rollers32 (best seen inFIGS. 3A and 3B) or both in theright rail18. Alternatively, thefixture10 is contacted by twopositioning rollers30 in theright rail18 and by twopressure rollers32 in theleft rail18. Alternatively, eachrail18 is not identical.
• According to one embodiment, therollers30,32 protrude somewhat from theguide surface24 of eachrail18. Thepositioning rollers30, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, protrude from about 10 mils to about 30 mils from the guide surface. In a further embodiment, thepressure rollers32 protrude from about 50 mils to about 100 mils from the guide surface. Alternatively, therollers30,32 can be spring biased.
• According to one aspect of the invention, therollers30,32 are mounted in a fixed manner and are slightly tilted inward in the direction of theinterposer22. That is, the top portion of eachroller30,32 is slightly closer to theinterposer22 than the bottom portion of eachroller30,32. According to one embodiment, therollers30,32 are tilted at an angle ranging from about 1 degree to about 10 degrees. According to one embodiment, this tilt provides a downward force that urges the inserted device onto theguide plane24 for alignment purposes. Alternatively, therollers30,32 are perpendicular to the plane of thebase60.
• According to one aspect of the present invention, thepositioning rollers30 are spaced apart from each other on opposite ends of therail18, as shown inFIG. 1. In accordance with a further embodiment, thepressure rollers32 are spaced next to or substantially adjacent to each other near a midpoint of therail18, as depicted inFIG. 3. With therollers30,32 positioned in this fashion, the device under test is contacted at three points by therollers30,32 and thus is secured in place by a type of three-point clamp formed by therollers30,32. Alternatively, therollers30,32 can be positioned to create a two-point or four-point clamp. In a further alternative, therollers30,32 can contact the drive at more than four points. In yet another alternative, therollers30,32 are positioned in any fashion that allows therollers30,32 to receive and position the device to be tested in thefixture10.
• Alternatively, each rail is configured to create the three-point clamping configuration with twopositioning rollers30 on one side of therail18 and onepressure roller32 on the opposite side of therail18. This embodiment of the three-point clamping configuration functions appropriately so long as there is no need for both front and rear connection capability of thefixture10. This is true because of the location of the mounting screw holes on an ANSI standard drive, as depicted inFIG. 5.FIG. 5 shows that themiddle screw hole23 of thestandard drive28 is not centered along the length of the side. Thus, if it is desired that thefixture10 have the capability for positioning the drive in only one of either front or rear connection, then only onepressure roller32 is required and need only be positioned in therail18 at a location that is appropriate for the connection direction. However, if it is desired that thefixture10 have both front and rear connection capability, then twopressure rollers32 are required. That is, twopressure rollers32 positioned substantially adjacent to each other near the midpoint of therail18 provides a contact point for the drive regardless of which direction the drive is facing.
• In accordance with one aspect of the invention, thepositioning rollers30 are hard and thepressure rollers32 are soft. That is, thepositioning roller30 is fabricated of an acetal copolymer or an equivalent polymer with similar dissipative and hardness characteristics. For example, according to one embodiment, therollers30 are fabricated of Pomalux®, which is available from Westlake Plastics Co. of Lenni, Pa. Alternatively, thepositioning roller30 is made up of any known hard material.
• FIG. 4 shows an elevated view of apressure roller32 having anouter sleeve36 and acore34. The outer sleeve is made up a known soft material. According to one embodiment, theouter sleeve36 of thepressure roller32 is cast of a soft, rubbery elastomeric compound surrounding a centralhard core34. For example, theouter sleeve36 can be made of K-Prene®, a urethane elastomer available from Acrotech, Inc. of Lake City, Minn. Alternatively, theouter sleeve36 is any known soft material that can be used on theroller32. Thehard core34 comprises a known hard material such as, for example, brass, stainless steel, or hard plastic.
• The top plate, or top component,61, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, provides substantial rigidity and stability, which can contribute to vibration dampening in thefixture10. According to one embodiment, thetop plate61 is configured as depicted inFIGS. 1, 2, and3. Alternatively, thetop plate61 is configured in any structural configuration known to provide rigidity and stability, which can thereby contribute to vibration dampening.
• According to one embodiment, thetop plate61 is connected to therails18 viaspacers80. Thespacers80 are aerodynamically shaped to provide an airflow path across the top of the drive. Alternatively, thespacers80 have any known shape. In a further alternative, thetop plate61 is connected directly to therails18.
• In one embodiment, thetop plate61 includes tworollers62 that assist with insertion of the device to be tested into thefixture10 and alignment with theinterposer22. Further, therollers62 can protect the device to be tested from physical marring that could occur if the device were to make inadvertent contact with thetop plate61. According to one embodiment, therollers62 do not touch the device to be tested after full insertion of the device. Therollers62 are disposed onshafts63 that are connected to thetop plate61 byrivets64. Alternatively, therollers62 are connected to the top plate by any known connection means. According to one embodiment, therollers62 are made of an acetal polymer. For example, therollers62 are made of Delrin®, which is available from DuPont Co. in Wilmington, Del. Alternatively, therollers62 can be made of any material known to be used for rollers on a test fixture.
• In accordance with one alternative embodiment, thetop plate61 has tworollers62. Alternatively, thetop plate61 has one ormore rollers62. Therollers62 are positioned on thetop plate61 as depicted inFIG. 1. Alternatively, therollers62 are positioned on thetop plate61 in any configuration that will assist with insertion and positioning of the device to be tested and that will assist with preventing damage to the device. Further, thetop plate61, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, hastabs73 that are configured to contact theinterposer22 and help to hold theinterposer22 in place in theslots77.
• According to one embodiment, thefixture10 includes anejection mechanism37 to disconnect the device being tested from the interface with theinterposer22 and to partially expel the device from thefixture10. Theejection mechanism37 of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of existing ejection mechanisms in that thepresent mechanism37 is a simple, single-piece component that is inexpensive, easy to assemble and use, and is small enough to fit into a small space. As shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and3, theejection mechanism37 has ahandle38 connected to tworods39,41 that are disposed parallel to each other and extend parallel to and below thebase60. Therods39,41 according to one aspect of the invention, each have backportions40,43 that are located adjacent to theinterposer22. Theback portions40,43 includerubber bumpers42 that are configured to contact the device being tested when theejection mechanism37 is pulled at thehandle38.
• Therods39,41, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, are disposed within holes orslots43 in thepan12 near thefront portion14 of thefixture10, and are moveable therethrough. According to one embodiment, theback portions40,43 are disposed within holes orslots74 in thetop plate61 and are moveable therethrough.Back portion40 is offset to avoid contacting any cables or wiring connecting the device under test to theinterposer22. Alternatively, backportion43 can be offset, or in a further alternative, bothback portions40,43 are offset, or in yet a further alternative, neitherback portion40,43 is offset.
• According to one embodiment, return springs78 associated with theback portions40,43 maintain theejection mechanism37 in a retracted position when thehandle38 is not being pulled. Alternatively, thefixture10 can have any known means of applying a maintaining force on theejection mechanism37 to hold it in the retracted position.
• The rubber bumpers, according to one aspect of the invention, are made of a soft urethane that will not mar the device being tested when contact is made. Alternatively, the rubber bumpers are made of any known soft material that is capable of contacting the device without causing damage.
• In accordance with an alternative embodiment, thefixture10 has any known ejection mechanism.
• Thefixture10, according to one embodiment of the present invention, has astop device65 configured to assist with appropriate positioning of a drive to be tested by front connection. Thedevice65, in one aspect of the present invention, has ahandle66 near thefront portion14 of thefixture10. Thehandle66 is connected to arod67 that is positioned to run parallel to theleft rail18 in agroove69 inrail receiving plate100 under theleft rail18. Alternatively, therod67 is positioned in agroove69 under theright rail18. Near therear portion16 of thefixture10, therod67 is connected to astop portion79 that is partially disposed within aslot72 in thetop plate61.
• In its “rear connection” position, thehandle66 of thestop device65 is positioned in agroove75 at an end of theleft rail18 at thefront portion14 of thefixture10. When thehandle66 is in thegroove75, thestop portion79 is positioned in the far left portion of theslot72 in thetop plate61. In this position, the device to be tested can be fully inserted into thefixture10 and can interface with theinterposer22.
• In its “front connection” position, thehandle66 is turned in a clockwise direction to a position that is somewhat right of the front of theleft rail18. When thehandle66 is in this position, thestop portion79 is positioned in the far right portion of theslot72 in thetop plate61. Further, a portion (not shown) of thestop portion79 below thetop plate61 is positioned in the testing area of thefixture10, thereby creating a “stop” that prevents any device that is inserted from being inserted fully to therear portion16 of thefixture10 and thereby prevents the device from contacting or interfacing with theinterposer22. In this fashion, the device is positioned appropriately for front connection testing. Alternatively, any known stop mechanism may be used with afixture10 of the present invention.
• The invention will now be described further by way of the following example.
EXAMPLE 1
• Methods and Materials
• Test fixtures of the present invention were tested in the following manner. Three test conditions were created.
• First, 10 drives manufactured by Western Digital were tested in a test fixture of the present invention that was placed on a pallet placed on a bench (“Pallet Fixture”).
• Second, drives were tested in a test fixture of the present invention that was placed in an environmental testing chamber (“Chamber Fixture”). The tests were performed on 10 drives manufactured by Western Digital. The drives were distributed in a chamber that was fully populated with 90 drives. The 10 drives were distributed amongst the 90 total drives in the chamber such that the 10 drives formed a oval pattern. The remaining80 untested drives were operating in maximum stroke maximum velocity mode, thus creating the maximum amount of vibration possible under the testing conditions.
• Third, for comparison, 10 drives manufactured by Western Digital were mounted to a “golden fixture,” which for this test is a large aluminum plate of approximately 25 pounds. The drives were mounted to the fixture by fourboltholes78 on the bottom of each drive as shown inFIG. 7, with the bolts penetrating the thickness of the fixture.
• The following tests were performed. The drives in each of the three conditions were tested for access measure time to read ready (“Read Time”), access measure time to write ready (“Write Time”), full stroke ID to OD back to ID (“Full Stroke”), average position error signal (“Avg PES”), seek OD and settle (“OD Settle”), and seek ID settle (“ID Settle”). Each of the tests described above are internal self-tests that the drives are programmed by the manufacturer to run.
• Results
• The results are set forth inFIG. 6. In the graph, the gray-colored bars represent the data related to drives mounted on the Golden Fixture. Further, the white-colored bars represent the data related to drives mounted on the Pallet Fixture, and the black-colored bars represent the data related to drives mounted on the Chamber Fixture. The X axis shows the various tests that were performed and the Y axis represents arbitrary units for comparison purposes only.
• Surprisingly, the fixture of the present invention can dampen the transmission of ambient vibrations as effectively as a Golden Fixture, as shown by the graphs. That is, regardless of whether the present fixture is tested while resting on a bench or in a test chamber, it exhibits the same damping characteristics as the Golden Fixture.
• Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A test fixture comprising:

(a) a base component;

(b) a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component;

(c) a top component coupled to the first and second rails; and

(d) an interposer coupled to the first and second rails.

2. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the fixture achieves vibration damping similar to that achieved by a Golden Fixture.

3. The fixture ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one roller disposed within a recess in each of the first and second rails.

4. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the top component has at least one roller coupled to the top component.

5. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the base component is coupled to a pan.

6. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the base component is configured to allow air flow around a device being tested.

7. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the first rail and the second rail are configured to allow air flow around a device being tested.

8. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the top component is configured to allow air flow around a device being tested.

9. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the base component comprises

(a) two rail receiving plates; and

(b) at least two braces coupled to the two rail receiving plates.

10. The fixture ofclaim 9 wherein the at least two braces are configured to allow air flow around a device being tested.

11. The fixture ofclaim 9 wherein the at least two braces comprise:

(a) at least two main braces, each main brace having an arch structure configured to allow air flow; and

(b) at least one secondary brace disposed between the at least two main braces, the at least one secondary brace configured to allow air flow.

12. The fixture ofclaim 1 further comprising an ejection mechanism coupled to the fixture, the ejection mechanism comprising two rods selectively extendable through apertures in the top component.

13. The fixture ofclaim 1 wherein the interposer is configured to interface with a device to be tested.

14. A method of testing a device comprising:

inserting the device into a fixture comprising:

a base component;

a first rail and a second rail coupled to the base component;

a top component coupled to the first and second rails; and

an interposer coupled to the first and second rails; and

performing at least one test on the device; and

removing the device from the test fixture.

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